Photographer's Note

Fortunately this was no mirage and was very real. It's the swimming pool I talked about in a previous upload. Temperatures were hitting 45c in the western Sahara in August. When I turned on the cold water tap in my room I got hot water. The groundwater used for this pool is cool. The rooms had no aircon or fans and remained hot until early morning.

This area of sand dunes is actually quite small. The sand dune fields in neighboring Algeria to the east are around 10 to 15 times bigger in area.

hi chris. it doesn't look like a good idea to get to the dunes in august. thankfully the guys set up a pool for refreshing in day time and probably started the caravan quite late.
i stayed exactly at the same "auberge", thanks to the april sun, nobody was quite interested in the pool even after coming back from the dunes. you have fine details of an ababdoned place here.

Ah, Chris, I see we are through the doorway and residing by the swimming pool. It does look inviting and those parasols will be essential in such high temperatures.
The swimming pool anchors the f/g, providing a natural lead to the blue tiles and the periphery wall. Nice use of the shadows in this f/g area. The inclusion of the sand dunes really adds the context; it is quite obvious that this pool is not situated in western Europe!
I'm surprised there are no bathers taking advantage of the cooling conditions or did you just avoid them?

Hi Chris,a very good place to take a break after many kilometeres on the sand and difficult roads..ehhee..i like your choice of point of view,excellent composition whit the special background made by the first Sahara dunes.Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

I like the contrast between the swimming pool and the sand dune. The distance between each other is giving depth to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the swimming pool environment. Have a nice day.

Hola Chris
Already you answer my also obvious question about the absense of people, must wait to get them out or sometimes to stay at a place, the time to compose a capture, people or not people, this is the problem

Good to post the piscine, I admit I was curious to have a look at it, in a muslim country it s surrounded by walls but with a magificent view at the golden dunes
Well composed capture of a place to enjoy being despite the heat

Cheers and enjoy Sunday
Maria
Read about the terrorist attack, there are etnias that hates each others, as you must know

Hi Chris, really hot must be there. As retired person I can choose better time for travelling and in high season I stay rather at home. I have never experienced such high temperatures even in Australia Red Center. I can imagine how refreshing must have been to plunge in this small pool, but this feeling lasts not so long. Amazing contrast of the golden sands with blue pool .
Warm regrads Malgo

Hello Chris - Far better than a mirage and in the heat you describe I think I would spend 24 hours a day in the pool! The little corner of cool shade looks deserted and uncared for but I guess the guests are in shot supply. A striking shot where the contrast between blue and warm yellows is attractive and a perfect illustration for your note. Warm regards Rosemary

Hi Chris
this is an idyllic image, especially on a frosty English November morning. As you say no mirage! but everyone's French Foreign Legionnaire's idea of one. A beautifully executed and presented shot and an original TE image.

Two elements are pleasant to look at.
We see the reed solar screen with a specially construction.
I like the contrast between the swimming pool and the sand dune
Nice perspective and depth picture.
Colour and sharpness are wonderful to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Hi Chris,
First snow this morning and I would not mind being relaxing by this pool for a couple of hours! The contrast between the pool and the dunes works very well. Nice combination of colours too. Great vacation photo. The cushions not properly placed on the chairs give a sort of neglected feel to the place; not sure it was your intention.
Best regards, Claude.

I like your title Chris, it's really a mirage in the desert, a dry habitat, a swimming pool in such area is not eco-friendly..
Nice place well planned, the view of the dunes (ergs) in the bg is sublime, high quality and resolution, all the best, have a nice day

Good evening Chris,
A marvelous contrast over this place, not only the blue against the brown colors - but also a great distinguished the living inside the premises with a pool alongside the walls, and the desert landscape outside.
a fine contour lines of the dunes also well captured. A fine bright photo, immaculate sharpness.
Ike